RecallMyCar

Champion Challenger Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 34 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints across 25 model years of the Champion Challenger (1997–2024). The most-complained-about year is 2012.

34
safety recalls, all years
2
owner complaints, all years
2009
year with most recalls
2012
year with most complaints

Pick your Champion Challenger model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2024 Champion Challenger10
2023 Champion Challenger10
2019 Champion Challenger10
2018 Champion Challenger20
2017 Champion Challenger20
2016 Champion Challenger20
2015 Champion Challenger40
2014 Champion Challenger61
2013 Champion Challenger70
2012 Champion Challenger51
2011 Champion Challenger40
2010 Champion Challenger80
2009 Champion Challenger110
2008 Champion Challenger100
2007 Champion Challenger90
2006 Champion Challenger90
2005 Champion Challenger80
2004 Champion Challenger30
2003 Champion Challenger20
2002 Champion Challenger30
2001 Champion Challenger30
2000 Champion Challenger30
1999 Champion Challenger20
1998 Champion Challenger10
1997 Champion Challenger10

What Champion Challenger owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The 2012 model year has the most, with 1.

All Champion Challenger recalls (34)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Champion Challenger, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 24V253000 Reported 3,680 vehicles potentially affected Forest River Bus, LLC

    Forest River Bus, LLC. (Forest River Bus) is recalling certain 2018-2024 Starcraft Allstar, Senator II, 2022-2024 Starcraft Allstar MVP, Senator II MVP, Eldorado National Advantage, 2018 Starcraft Candidate II, 2023 Starcraft Starlite, 2023-2034 Champion Challenger, Elkhart Coach ELKC, and 2019-2024 Glaval Universal transit buses.…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the brake lines, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Bus Customer Service Phone Number at 1-800-348-7440. Forest River Bus…

    Model years: 2023, 2024

  2. Escape/egress/exit (structure)

    NHTSA 19V554000 Reported 362 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain 2019 Challenger, Crusader, Defender and LF Transport and Goshen G-Force, Impulse and Pacer II shuttle buses equipped with Prolo roof emergency escape hatches. Due to a manufacturing issue, the roof hatch external handle may unexpectedly break under reasonable use.

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will replace the handle, free of charge. The recall began September 16, 2019. Owners may contact Champion customer service 1-810-724-1753, extension 415.

    Model years: 2019

  3. Seats

    NHTSA 18V798000 Reported 76 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Champion Challenger, Defender, LF Transport, Goshen G-Force, and Impulse transit buses, equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats, part numbers 43705, 45467, 48923, and 75719. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-810-724-1753, extension 415 or…

    Model years: 2017, 2018

  4. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 18V573000 Reported 219 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus (Champion) is recalling certain 2012-2018 Champion American Coach, American Crusader, American S2, Challenger, Crusader, Defender, and Impulse vehicles, equipped with certain S-Series and K-Series Titanium Wheelchair Lifts, models K200, K201, K550, K551, S200, S2201, S550 and S551. The wheelchair lift positioning input cam…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the injection molded cam with an aluminum machined cam, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Champion customer service 1-810-724-1753 extension 415 or Ricon…

    Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

  5. Seats

    NHTSA 16V295000 Reported 5 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2016 Champion Bus Challenger shuttle buses manufactured January 29, 2016, to April 4, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with seats that may separate from the base frame due to bolt failure. As such, these seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seats, free of charge. The recall began on May 27, 2016. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 810-724-1753 extension 415.

    Model years: 2016

  6. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 15V757000 Reported 1,338 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2006-2015 Challenger, Defender, Crusader, American, American Coach, American Crusader, Corporal, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, HC American, Platinum Shuttle, and Stacked Rail transit buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to August 25, 2015, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005,…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and Ricon will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on…

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

  7. Webbing (seat belts)

    NHTSA 15V391000 Reported 1,818 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 American Crusader, American Coach, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ Trans, HCAC, HC, DFUC, LF Transport, Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured March 1, 2013, to June 12, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the passenger seat belts may rub…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will install a plastic sleeve over the metal seat frame, and replace any seat belts that show evidence of fraying, free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2015. Owners…

    Model years: 2013, 2014, 2015

  8. Equipment

    NHTSA 14V821000 Reported 773 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, EZ-Street, HC American, HCAC, LF Transport, M1235, Platinum Shuttle, Stacked Rail, and Federal Coach Premier, and Spirit transit buses manufactured January 1, 2012, to October 1, 2014, equipped with…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners to inspect their triangles for production dates between April 2011, to April 2014, and the affected triangles will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2015. Owners…

    Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014

  9. Seats

    NHTSA 14V748000 Reported 168 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 LF Transport, HCAC, Defender, Crusader, and Challenger transit buses manufactured September 2, 2014, to October 14, 2014. The spring nuts used to secure the passenger seats failed durability testing.

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective seat nuts, free of charge. The recall began in December 2014. Owners may contact Champion at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2014, 2015

  10. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 14V742000 Reported 1,229 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion Bus) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 American Coach, American Crusader, Challenger, Corporal, Crusader, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, Defender, HCAC, HC American, Platinum Shuttle, and Stacked Rail transit buses manufactured January 1, 2006, to July 31, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005,…

    Remedy: Champion Bus will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge.…

    Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

  11. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 14V257000 Reported 29 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus, Inc. (Champion) is recalling certain model year 2013 Challenger transit buses manufactured January 7, 2013, through October 25, 2013, and equipped with certain Ricon S series and K series wheelchair lifts and an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair…

    Remedy: Champion will notify owners and Ricon will send the owner a supplemental cover kit and instructions free of charge. The recall began on August 27, 2014. Owners may contact Champion customer service at 1-800-776-4943,…

    Model years: 2013

  12. Electrical (equipment)

    NHTSA 13V422000 Reported 598 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus is recalling certain model year 2010 American Crusader, American Coach, CTS-FE, CTS-RE, and IC Low Floor buses; and 2009-2010 Challenger and Crusader buses; and 2009-2011 Defender and EZ Trans buses; and 2010-2011 IC High Floor buses. The buses are manufactured from August 1, 2009, through May 19, 2011, and equipped with…

    Remedy: Champion Bus will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door header and replace any defective circuit board, free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2013. Owners may contact Champion at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2009, 2010

  13. Equipment

    NHTSA 12V593000 Reported 73 vehicles potentially affected Champion Bus, Inc.

    Champion Bus is recalling certain model year 2006, and certain model year 2008-2013 buses, models: American Crusader, Challenger, Crusader, and Defender; manufactured September 30, 2006, through November 16, 2012. The buses are equipped with a Ricon manufactured wheelchair lift which has an optional armored pendant cable. The cable may…

    Remedy: Champion Bus is working with Ricon to notify owners. Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit with instructions, free of charge. Owners may contact Champion Bus at 1-819-724-6474 or Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.

    Model years: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

  14. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 12V275000 Reported 892 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 transit buses equipped with braun century-2 and/or vista-2 wheelchair lifts. Over time and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners, and the repairs will be performed by authorized braun dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on august 17, 2012. Owners may contact champion bus at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010

  15. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 11V141000 Reported 974 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain vehicles equipped with carrier genv em-1 evaporator units. Due to time, temperature, and/or vibration, the fuse may loosen in the fuse holder resulting in high resistance and arcing.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners and provide information on how to obtain the retrofit kit from carrier along with repair instructions. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on march 8,…

    Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  16. Equipment

    NHTSA 10V593000 Reported 107 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain buses equipped with trans air ta 73 evaporators. The evaporator utilizes a power resistor to regulate blower speed. Should a short occur in the "low or medium speed" circuit while the blower is in high speed, the short will cause the supply voltage to feedback through the resistor to ground, not drawing…

    Remedy: Champion bus in cooperation with trans air will install a thermal shutdown device in series with the speed resistors. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners…

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

  17. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 10V129000 Reported 300 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2007-2010 buses fitted with ricon public use lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched in the buckle. Ricon has discovered, however, that it is possible for the…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. The…

    Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

  18. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 10V131000 Reported 223 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2008-2010 buses manufactured between september 2007 and february 2010, equipped with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts, due to a problem in the software that controls the lift's "up" function. If the "up" switch is released before the floor…

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by authorized ricon dealers please see ricon's defect report 09e-061. Ricon will provide owners with a bulletin outlining proper wheelchair lift…

    Model years: 2009, 2010

  19. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 10V127000 Reported 191 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2006-2010 buses equipped with trans/air air conditioning systems installed between may 2006 and june 2009. Each trans/air system comes with an electrical kit which contains a relay board and ec pc board which if improperly installed could overheat.

    Remedy: Trans air will notify the owners and the buses will be repaired free of charge. Please also see trans/air defect report 09e-042. The safety recall began on may 19, 2010. Owners may contact trans/air warranty and…

    Model years: 2008, 2009

  20. Air conditioner (equipment)

    NHTSA 09V426000 Reported 6 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 transit buses equipped with carrier k410 rooftop condensers. Inadequate overcurrent protection of one or more of the fans in the k410 condenser may cause overheating of the fan's wires.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners to contact an authorized carrier dealer to obtain the remedy free of charge. Please also see carrier's defect report 09e-055. The safety recall began on november 30, 2009. Owners may…

    Model years: 2009

  21. Interior lighting

    NHTSA 09V369000 Reported 69 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling certain model year 2003 through 2010 transit buses manufactured between january 2003 and august 2009 equipped with luminator horizon LED side destination signs. The connector board can corrode due to an accumulation of moisture under the connector.

    Remedy: Champion bus will notify owners and luminator will repair the buses free of charge. Please see luminator's defect report 09e-054. The safety recall began on december 11, 2009. Owners may contact luminator at…

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009

  22. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V490000 Reported 503 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 503 my 2005-2007 challenger, crusader, defender, my 2005-2006 corporal, my 2006 cts-re, and my 2007 cts-fe and ic defender transit buses equipped with a ricon platform style wheelchair lift. This lift fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift systems…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lift free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion bus at 1-800-331-5761.

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007

  23. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V225000 Reported 31 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 31 my 2007-2008 defender, challenger and my 2008 crusader buses built on general motors 560 chassis and equipped with intermotive gateway 401 module interlock harness. These buses have been found to exhibit extreme voltage spikes during engine cranking. These extreme spikes can damage the diode in the harness…

    Remedy: Intermotive is handling the remedy for this campaign (please see 08e004). Intermotive will replace the defective harness free of charge. Owners may contact intermotive at 1-800-969-6080 or champion bus at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2007, 2008

  24. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 08V182000 Reported 503 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 503 my 2005-2008 defender, challenger, cts-re, cts-fe and crusader buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion bus at 1-937-596-6849.

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

  25. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 07V567000 Reported 375 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Champion bus is recalling 375 my 2005-2007 champion, challenger, crusader, cts, defender and general coach model corporal and m1235 buses equipped with braun platform lifts for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." a passenger can…

    Remedy: Champion is working with braun corporation to have the doorway lift fixed free of charge (please see 06e094). Owners may contact champion at 1-800-331-5761 or braun corporation at 1-800-946-7513.

    Model years: 2005

  26. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 07V061000 Reported 83 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Certain buses equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, 'platform lift systems for motor vehicles.' the inner barrier interlock switch system in the lift baseplate may not detect the presence of a passenger (either wheelchair or standee) on…

    Remedy: Champion bus is working with ricon to repair these wheelchair lifts (please see 06e101). Owners can contact ricon at 1-800-322-2884 or champion bus at 1-800-331-5761.

    Model years: 2006

  27. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 06V362000 Reported 18 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain transit buses built on workhorse chassis and equipped with GM 8.1l v8 engines, improper hardening during the heat treatment process can cause the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip to fracture, resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. If the damper becomes loose, fuel could be pumped by the fuel pump into the under…

    Remedy: Chevrolet and workhorse are handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign (please see 06v225 and 06v289). Dealers will replace the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clips on these engines free of charge.…

    Model years: 2005, 2006

  28. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 06V127000 Reported 7 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain transit buses equipped with ricon s and k series platform style wheelchair lifts, the vertical support arms for the lifts were improperly welded allowing the lift to stow improperly.

    Remedy: Champion is working with ricon to remedy these buses. The two lift arms will be replaced free of charge. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or champion at 1-810-724-6474.

    Model years: 2005

  29. Equipment

    NHTSA 05V174000 Reported 75 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain diesel buses built on ford e-series chassis and equipped with carrier vacuum pump brackets, the brackets could break.

    Remedy: Carrier is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Owners may contact carrier service department at 1-800-450-2211.

    Model years: 2004, 2005

  30. Equipment adaptive/mobility

    NHTSA 04V521000 Reported 231 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain buses equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.

    Remedy: Sure-lok is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or…

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

  31. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 04V519000 Reported 1,552 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

    Remedy: Owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. The recall began november 16, 2004. Owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

  32. Underbody shields (structure)

    NHTSA 03V458000 Reported 61 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain transit buses, a light gauge steel was used for the floor frame crossmember located in the floor sub-frame.

    Remedy: Owners will inspect for cracks and if cracks are present owners are to contact champion for repair instructions. The recall began on may 12, 2004. Owners should contact champion at 1-800-788-1976.

    Model years: 2002

  33. Equipment

    NHTSA 02V277007 Reported 4 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    Certain motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerator cooling units model numbers 1200lr and 1200rim with serial numbers between 700000 and 1008700 . These refrigerators can experience low cycle fatigue failure which can lead to the liquid solution slowly leaking from the sealed, pressurized cooling unit through a small crack.

    Remedy: Norcold will notify its customers and provide a replacement cooling unit free of charge. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…

    Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999

  34. Retractor (seat belts)

    NHTSA 02V160006 Reported 599 vehicles potentially affected CHAMPION BUS, INC.

    On certain buses equipped with cp traveling retractor lap (type 1) seat belts, the plastic cover housing the reserve end of the seat belt web can break. If the two halves of the cover completely separate, the connector portion of the belt will detach from the cover. Once detached, the connector rivet can separate from the connector…

    Remedy: Amsafe will notify its customers and provide a plastic outer cover that snaps over the existing cover on units in the field and will replace broken seat belts free of charge. Owners who take their vehicles to an…

    Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001

Other Champion models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.